My photos serve as a medium in which to showcase how I see the world. Every moment a movie still, a photograph waiting to happen. Such is the life of an artist I suppose - tortured by the need to create at a moment's notice. These images vary from images of the usual unusual to series focusing on heavier topics - most notably woman's roles in society.
I'm unsure of it will all function in the world as of now. I do know that it serves as a form of therapy for me, and true to therapy it usually results in some greater clarification on my part. I still have two years to figure it out. One of those will be spent abroad, the next focused on senior thesis. I anticipate both to be highly introspective periods in my life. Abroad I will be able to shut out the worries and expectations of real life and devote all time and energy to my photography and my writing. Thesis will (hopefully) bring it all in together and by then I should be a well rounded artist, right? Or is that an oxymoron?
The text that alternates with and accompanies the visuals is just as much a product of my work as an artist as my images are. These stories and recounts are the verbal descriptions of moments I was unable to capture with a camera. This may be because I didn't have one on me at the time, or because the situation was a purely audio experience, or -and this is more likely- because I couldn't work up the nerve to approach with a camera in hand.
Somethings are better conveyed through writing than through images. Somethings require both to be a powerful enough piece. The relationship between words and visuals is an extremely compelling idea to me and since I don't dabble in many other forms of art aside from photography, this is me at my inter-disciplinary.
Explaining to people that I'm an art student is an arduous task. There are a variety of reactions that I can expect. I list them here from most common to least:
-Initial interest that is quickly lost upon discovery that I'm not a painter or sculptor but a photographer.
-Concern for my well being and my future. (As if it were any of their business.)
-Scorn, scoffing, judgement. (This one hurts.)
-Praise, pleasure, delight. (Usually a reaction from fellow artists and free spirits.)
But no matter the reaction there is always the follow up question - what will you do with your life? I've floundered around with this question for a while, and have finally settled upon a canned statement about my dream job.
"Ideally I'd like to work in publications and journalism. National Geographic being a forerunner."
It's an placating enough answer that 95% stops their inquisition and they leave me alone. For the other five percent, the ones I've discovered to have a genuine interest in this fine young person's life, this is just a stepping stone to a whole field of questions. These are the people I enjoy conversing with and who inspire me with new thoughts, ideas, realizations. Frequently they have an unorthodox job/life history as well.
Surrounding myself with these people and drawing from their influence, as well as my own that I create day by day fuels my passion as an artist. It can be a daunting role to play at times, but the freedom and rewards make it worth it. Yes, there is a huge degree of the unknown but I can roll with that. There's no planning the perfect photograph, so why should I expect a career involving them to magically happen either? It's the chase, the hunt, the spotting of the most exquisite opportunity and snagging it before it becomes just another blip in forever.
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